Akram said it was laughable even to think he would be teaching Indians how to bat out against reverse swing bowling.

"As a senior cricketer if somebody comes to me for tips, I am not to turn him away. I did the same with Australia's Nathan Bracken so why only help to (Irfan) Pathan is being turned into an issue?" Akram said.

The latest controversy emerges from concerns of former cricketer Javed Miandad, who expressed worries that Akram could be letting out "trade secrets" by helping Indians ahead of their historic tour to Pakistan in March.

Miandad in particular has shown concern that Akram could be giving Indians tips on how to counter reverse swing bowling in which Pakistan fast bowlers excel.

"Look what I am only worried about is that he doesn't give them tips on how to play reverse swing, I hope he is not doing it," Miandad was quoted in a Pakistan daily.

An exasperated Akram said he was only helping a budding cricketer and things about nationalities and other such matters were farthest from his mind.

"I am only helping a budding cricketer, a young fast bowler, who has shown promise and is keen to learn. It's not as if I am on a mission or I am being paid for my services."

Akram asserted he was first and foremost a Pakistani and was honoured to have represented his country for long years.

"I take pride in having played for Pakistan and served my nation to the best of my ability. But I am no longer active and have to carry on living as I deem fit."

"There is no intention or motive in my actions other than help out cricketers who approach me for bowling tips," he said

On Miandad's fears that he could be giving tips to the Indians on how to play reverse swing, Akram said, "This is stretching the matter too far. I am not on a mission to help out Indians.

"It is another matter though that I am not holding any coaching assignment with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and should be allowed to work as I deem fit," the former captain said.

"I wasn't even offered a cup of tea by them when I retired but then that's a different story," he added.

Akram, with 414 Tests and 502 one-day wickets, has the largest haul of wickets by an international bowler. He bowed out after Pakistan's disastrous campaign in 2003 World Cup in South Africa – his fifth.

In recent times, enormous interest has centred on the coming Indian tour to Pakistan, which is scheduled to take place in March this year.

Akram, after his retirement, has taken up the assignment with a television network and shied away from taking any coaching assignment with the Indian cricket board.

On India's present tour to Australia though, where he is present as a television commentator, Akram has been sporting enough to help out India's young fast bowlers whenever they've approached him for bowling tips.